Events
100K
35 spots left.
This race was inspired by the interconnecting ski trail systems that are part of the novelty of the north shore trail scene. Trails that seemingly don't end. At least, you won't want them to. For the hearty of heart. 12 hour cut-off for this event.
Place
Lutsen, MN US 55612
Description
Ski North Ultra is an ultra-distance 100K cross-country skiing classic-only event along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The event has 38K and 100K options, following the Norpine, Cascade River State Park and Bally Creek trail systems near Lutsen, MN.
This is a unique cross-country ski event. It is classic-skiing only, and will be on a mix of double-track and single-track ski trails. The trails are incredibly beautiful, and also very technical. State park skiing can mean narrow, sharp turns, and the terrain along Lake Superior can mean long, 20-30 minute climbs, and sharp, steep descents. The 100K race uses advanced courses. The 38K stays on intermediate trails, but please consider if this is the right fit for your skill level. This is a tough course. March snow conditions can be varying, and can also be the most wonderful time of year to enjoy skiing. The event is more of an adventure than a race. Come with an open mind and adventurous spirit, and you will have a great day.
Start and finish in Cascade River State Park. Glide through birch, fir, cedar and pine forests, with overlooks of Lake Superior.
Experience the beauty of the North Shore by ski trail and then keep the vibes going with a post-race celebration. We will have handcrafted prizes from local artists.
Pricing can be a mystery with ski races, so here's exactly what your fees are going toward: 32% coordination/travel, 17% supplies, 10% portapotties, 10% grooming, 10% racer/volunteer gifts (may eliminate these next year, or make them optional, tbd), 8% insurance, 7% aid station food and 6% permits. Grants from Visit Cook County, as well as sponsors - Finn Sisu, Pointed Home Real Estate - cover post-race food at Cascade Restaurant, Norpine membership, awards, transportation (thank you Finn Sisu van!), bibs, wax support, misc supplies (Tailwind, cardamom rolls) and additional aid station food. Ski Hut will be a major aid station hub this year as well!
Price discounts and student pricing available. Please email rykken44@gmail.com for more info.
The What-Ifs: Courses may be subject to change based on snow conditions, and will be made in the best interest of the participant's safety and overall experience. In the case of extreme temperatures or conditions, we may adjust the start times and distances. The goal will be to put on the best race possible with the factors we are given. Partial refunds may be available in the case of a cancellation. Thanks for understanding it's all a bit of a gamble!
Refund policy: Full refunds can be offered up to two weeks after registration. Partial refunds can be offered up to four weeks after registration, and beyond that, unfortunately, we can't offer refunds.
Cut-off Times: In the interest of volunteers' time and keeping everyone to mostly daylight hours, we will have a cut-off time of 12 hours for the 100K.
Safety: There are inherent risks in any endurance event, but please note the following:
• Conditions are subject to change throughout the day.
• Aid Stations may have distances up to 20 km between them and some may be self-served.
• ROAD CROSSINGS: Skiers will need to cross roads during the race, and will be fully responsible for watching for any on-coming vehicles and making their own decisions upon when to cross. Do NOT assume cars will stop for you.
• There are two-way sections in which you will need to be cautious of other skiers and stay to the right side of the trail.
• The trails will be open to the public, so please be mindful of other trail users.
Aid Stations: Aid Stations will largely be run by volunteers. Many have limited parking. You can expect water, energy drink, and a variety of food/fuel options. Please plan to carry your own beverage containers.
The Great Minnesota Ski Pass: We get to ski on wonderful State Park and National Forest Service lands. Thank you to all who currently and have historically cared for this incredible area. All racers should have a Great MN Ski Pass ($10 Day Pass or $25 Season Pass), which gives you access to all state park and state forest ski trails. Please also remember to buy a State Park parking pass if you choose to park inside Cascade River State Park. Thank you!
This event is operated under a special use permit on the Superior National Forest.
We are so thankful to our supporters, and in particular, Visit Cook County, for providing assistance with marketing, local food, and local artisan prizes this year. And for being a fantastic resource.
Course Map
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Spectator Guide
Find our spectator guide below. This may be updated as the event gets closer.
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
Participant Guide
Please read prior to participation. This is required reading for skiers, and may be updated prior to the event. Thanks!
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
Lodging
There are many wonderful places to stay near the race course and along the North Shore, but here are a few we'd recommend:
Solbakken Resort: One of our aid stations and right off the race course, this cozy option is right on Lake Superior. A variety of room styles available.
Cascade Lodge: Another on-trail option, and within walking/skiing distance of the start/finish. Lodge and cabin options, with a restaurant on-site, and views of Lake Superior.
Ski Hill Cabins: These beautiful cabins include a sauna experience, and are not far from the west end of the trails.
Poplar River Condos: Located near Lutsen, these short-term stay condos offer a variety of lodging options.
Volunteer!
Want to join the fun but maybe not ski that far? We would love to have you as a volunteer, and we'll have many roles to fill of varying commitments. Please check out our volunteer page, or email rykken44@gmail.com. Also seeking groups to help run aid stations. Thank for you considering!
Results & Photos
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!
Ski North Ultra press release 2/6/26
Ski North Ultra - one month out update!
The Ski North Ultra is less than one month from its second annual event in Cook County, Minnesota. The classic-technique cross-country ski race on March 7, 2026 features a 100km distance, unique to the region, and a 38km option. Starting and finishing at Cascade River State Park, the race utilizes the State Park, Norpine and Bally Creek trail systems. The course features long climbs up and descents down the terrain along Lake Superior. Skiers cross the bridge at Cascade River featuring the famous waterfall, and experience a day in the northwoods, skiing some of the best trails around. Being a full-day event as well as traversing narrow, intimate trails creates more of an ultra-running event feel: friendly, collaborative, pushing boundaries. Bumpy single-track trails, crossing roads on foot, lack of cell coverage, the occasional beaver crossing, a creek and river crossing, two-way narrow trails, this race is a true Northwoods adventure.
The 2025 inaugural event was a wild one, with low snow prompting organizers and volunteers to shovel for days leading up to the event. 125 skiers from around the region and country came up to see this new thing for themselves. The race began under thin conditions but soon thereafter received an unexpected and charmingly welcome 1inch of snow that changed conditions dramatically. Skiers wove through the single-track trails of Bally Creek under fat, falling flakes, descending down the long trail back to Cascade River State Park. As the day went on, the sun came out, and all of the fresh snow glommed onto the bottoms of skis with such affection that skiers were walking down the trail for miles, or stopping every few minutes to scrape off the bottoms of their skis in hopes of gliding again. Fortunately, the clouds came back and the snow became more agreeable by the time the last big climbs came into play. The snow up on top of the hill was much deeper than snow by the lake (the micro-climate along Lake Superior is a whole fascinating sub-topic), and skiers were able to finish the course in great conditions prior to finishing on a narrow rolling trail back into the park. Skiers were welcomed back with homemade medals and warm food in the State Park building. Other notable challenges included a couple of confusing intersections, in which some skiers ended up skiing ever FARTHER than 100km. Organizers have noted this for 2026! Overall, it was a heroic journey for all involved, and despite some particularly challenging conditions, the resilience and joy of a good day’s outdoor adventure shone through.
Why would anyone want to ski 100K? The biggest ski race in North America lives next door in Wisconsin, the American Birkebeiner hosts thousands of skiers for a challenging course at 50km with an elevation gain of roughly 4600 feet. In comparison, the Ski North Ultra features 5700 feet of elevation gain, over 100km. The idea sparked from other endurance sports that encourage a long day, allowing some people to race, others to try to complete it. Look at trail running, mountain biking, gravel riding. It seems the better question is why doesn’t cross country skiing have a longer option?
There is a 12 hour cut-off time (7am - 7pm) that is fairly challenging, keeping skiers at under 7:12 minutes per kilometer (keep in mind this includes stops to eat, wax, rest, etc). Last year 72 skiers started the race; 52 completed it. We’ll see how things shake out this year!
From the skiers themselves, those who made it through this goose-chase, described the event as “gnarly and different”, ”so inclusive, so welcoming, so encouraging”, “I can't believe how beautiful the trails were up at Deer Yard and Bally Creek”, “a truly wonderful event”. I might be biased, but I think what we have started here is pretty unique and pretty special.
This year, the race will have a new start/finish area and new order to the course. Thanks to Visit Cook County, skiers can enjoy a post-race meal at Cascade Restaurant, awards from local artists, and a Norpine Trail membership. The race is eager to embed itself into the community, and looks forward to bib pick-up at Lutsen Winery and a post-race celebration at Up Yonder.
The event has a 150 participant cap - there are still spaces left, but register soon at skinorthultra.com. Conditions are currently looking good for a full course.
Big thank you to Visit Cook County, the Norpine Trail Association, MN DNR, USFS and Finn Sisu for supporting this event.
See you up north!
Ski North Ultra
